A WORCESTER taxi driver is in hospital with severe facial injuries after another unprovoked assault.

The self-employed driver was set upon by up to five youths after he picked them up from the rank on The Cross in the early hours of Saturday.

As we reported last week, another driver was also assaulted on Saturday, March 17, and punched repeatedly in the back of the head by four passengers in a frenzied attack in the back of his cab.

Mr Miah - who refused to give his full name for fear of retribution - had the glass panel of his cab smashed after being lured into the quiet cul-de-sac in the Spring Lane Industrial Estate in Malvern Link. The father-of-two, from The Arboretum, has vowed never to sit behind the wheel of a cab again.

Anne Murphy, chairwoman of Worcester City Taxi Drivers' Association, said drivers had reported increased levels of verbal abuse and harassment in the last few weeks.

"In the latest incident the driver picked up the passengers up in the city centre and, when he got to Windermere Drive area of Warndon, he became aware of them trying to climb out of the window to escape," she said.

"Rather than confront them he decided to slow down and release the doors so that they could get out safely.

"Once they had left the cab he got out to shut the doors which they had left open.

"He thought they had gone, but at that point they started on him. He is in hospital where he wasn't even allowed any visitors on Saturday.

"He's an experienced driver and a lovely man and we are all disgusted that this has happened to another driver.

"Our thoughts are with both of our colleagues and their families and we sincerely hope that we can work togA WORCESTER taxi driver is in hospital with severe facial injuries after another unprovoked assault.

The self-employed driver was set upon by up to five youths after he picked them up from the rank on The Cross in the early hours of Saturday.

As we reported last week, another driver was also assaulted on Saturday, March 17, and punched repeatedly in the back of the head by four passengers in a frenzied attack in the back of his cab.

Mr Miah - who refused to give his full name for fear of retribution - had the glass panel of his cab smashed after being lured into the quiet cul-de-sac in the Spring Lane Industrial Estate in Malvern Link. The father-of-two, from The Arboretum, has vowed never to sit behind the wheel of a cab again.

Anne Murphy, chairwoman of Worcester City Taxi Drivers' Association, said drivers had reported increased levels of verbal abuse and harassment in the last few weeks.

"In the latest incident the driver picked up the passengers up in the city centre and, when he got to Windermere Drive area of Warndon, he became aware of them trying to climb out of the window to escape," she said.

"Rather than confront them he decided to slow down and release the doors so that they could get out safely.

"Once they had left the cab he got out to shut the doors which they had left open.

"He thought they had gone, but at that point they started on him. He is in hospital where he wasn't even allowed any visitors on Saturday.

"He's an experienced driver and a lovely man and we are all disgusted that this has happened to another driver.

"Our thoughts are with both of our colleagues and their families and we sincerely hope that we can work together with Worcester City Council and West Mercia Police to keep drivers and passengers safe."

Inspector Janet Heritage of Worcester police said a full investigation was under way and appealed for anyone who saw anything unusual in the Windermere Drive area at 4am on Saturday to contact officers on 08457 444 888.ether with Worcester City Council and West Mercia Police to keep drivers and passengers safe."

Inspector Janet Heritage of Worcester police said a full investigation was under way and appealed for anyone who saw anything unusual in the Windermere Drive area at 4am on Saturday to contact officers on 08457 444 888.